THE HISTORY OF THE TOURNAMENT:
The year was 1985. The parents of former Carroll High School student Jennifer Lee Schmidt had reported their daughter missing from the area of Purdue University. She was never found.

Concession profits went to charity

Carroll High School has tried to turn this heartbreak into a positive, by sponsoring a memorial Girls’ Tennis Tournament in Jennifer’s honor each year.

It was a great tournament, a good cause and a beautiful setting.

There was also a concession stand with doughnuts, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs run by our own Food Adventures Crew. All proceeds from the concession stand benefitted the annual event and the Carroll HS Girls Tennis Team.

The Big Ragu, Chef House and Hungry Jax make up Dayton’s Food Adventure Crew. You can find them writing articles on Dayton Most Metro almost every week since 2011. Follow their trips on Facebook by clicking here. From local mom and pop restaurants, charity event, festivals, cooking classes, TV spots, and everything food related

Green Tomatoes, Elvis Impersonators, Cornhole Contests and Food Vendors are just some of the sights to be seen at the Rock n Green Tomato Festival. Due to park construction, the normally June event will be held on Saturday, July 23rd this year, in Riverfront Park in Miamisburg, behind Ron’s Pizza. This will mark the 5th year of this popular, annual celebration.

Get ready Dayton, there is so much in store at this festival we have compiled a list for it. And the best part, ADMISSION IS FREE !!

NIGHT MAGIC: Miamisburg band with good harmonies, and a mix of Oldies, Rock & Roll, Pop, Blue Grass & Country.

Live Music All Day — FOR FREE !

COMEBACK SPECIAL:
— Vegas era, 14 piece, Elvis Tribute Band with Ryan Roth as Elvis.
— A dynamic horn section, back up singers (just like his Sweet Inspirations).
— Take a trip back in time and enjoy this taste of nostalgia. Don’t miss Comeback Special!

The concerts are FREE ! What more could you ask for? Don’t forget, Ron’s Pizza Patio will be open with Green Beer and a full menu !

Fried Green Tomatoes

Also, special event host and emcee is Jim Bucher, Dayton’s funny TV guy. Join “Buch” for laughs and fun at the festival!

We are also expecting appearances from ABC 22 / Fox 45 On-Air Personalities. Look for a Celebrity Dunk Tank as well.

This is definitely a family event and there will be some seating, but concert listeners, you should plan on bringing your own lawn chair for a more comfortable experience. Mark your calendar now for the one and only, Rock N Green Tomato Festival!

John Pirelli Lodge President, Jim Balsamo at the Sons of Italy Bocce Courts

One of America’s biggest Bocce Ball tournaments is coming to Dayton, and it is all about respect, capeesh? Respect the balls, the court, the tradition and a game where anyone can play and be competitive. The Food Adventures Crew will be a big part of this weekend which also includes a Friday food truck rally and Sunday’s Garlic Fest.

Teams of 4 will descend upon the bocce courts behind the Bella Villa Hall and will be rolling balls from morning ’til night. Some of you may know this site as the same spot of Dayton’s Italian Festival aka the “Fall Festa.” 2015 Bocce Classic Champions, The Doepker Familyand Scott Davis look to defend their title, in what promises to be a fun-filled tournament weekend.

Not sure how to play bocce ball? It is easy to start. It is a mixture of bowling and shuffleboard. The object of the game is to roll your four bocce balls as close to the little “pallino” ball as possible, while preventing your opponents from doing the same. It is that simple. Many players develop their own strategies and rolling styles. Want to learn the rules of Bocce ? Then click here for the Dayton’s Bocce Classic Rules Page.

Brian Andzik is a Bocce Regular

Want to know more about The Bocce Classic, one of the feature Bocce Ball Tournaments in the United States?

HERE IS THE SKINNY:

WHAT: THE BOCCE CLASSIC, a BOCCE BALL TOURNAMENT

WHERE: 2625 County Line Rd, Dayton, Ohio

WHEN: 3 day tournament starts evening of July 15th, and ends in the Championship Game, Sunday Evening July 17th

Thirty years ago the Bella Villa Hall had 2 bocce courts. The floors of the courts were sand and limestone dust. They would have to bring out a rug and a rope, and drag it up and down to smooth the court between matches. Now the courts are made from artificial turf.

Then in 1995, the John Pirelli Lodge in Dayton Ohio, decided to host a tournament to promote the game and their Italian heritage. There were five clay courts and 40 teams. Orignal Bocce Classic Founders Ed Guerriero, Pat Mosconi and Mike Longo grew the tournament and it is now the unofficial “Ohio State Championship of Bocce”

Now, The Bocce Classic is a 3 day event played with over 60 teams and attended by thousands of spectators. There are now six partially covered bocce courts that even have night lighting. The Italian lodge looks to keep the feel of the original tournament while introducing bocce ball to more people in the Miami Valley. Pasta, steak dinners, and authentic Italian food help make a great bocce tournament.

2016 may be the “Year of the Bocce Ball” in Dayton, with all of this added interest. But for some, it has been a tradition for decades. Let’s meet some of Dayton’s bocce legends and purists.

DAYTON’S BOCCE’S “MUST MEETS”

— EDDIE “BOOM BOOM” GUERRIERO: This mild-mannered fixture at the Sons of Italy love the bocce and food as well. One of the founding members of the tournament, he is still active in bocce and lodge committees. We don’t know why he is called “boom boom.” We will leave that up to your imagination.

Rinaldo Stolfo with Kevin Sorice, Bocce Classic Chairman

— RINALDO STOLFO: This active 86 year old has played in the bocce league for 10 years and is an avid ping pong player with his partner who, get this… is 94 years old. He likes bocce because you meet a lot of new friends. Many of you Rinaldo as the former owner of his famous Dayton bakery which he retired last year.

— JIM BALSAMO: Current President of the lodge and bocce enthusiast who tells us his father got him into the game. Jim loves bocce ball because anyone can play, “16 years old to 86, male, female, it doesn’t matter.” Jim also says just because you have experience, sometimes is doesn’t matter. Games can take twists and turns. Jim says “One minute you think you’ve got it figured out and the bocce gods look down on you and that’s all she wrote.” Jim also notes that sometimes you gotta teach the players to add the scores correctly, even the veterans forget.

Bocce Classic Coming July 15- July 17th

— BRIAN ANDZIK: Bocce League veteran who has not missed one game in 17 years. He even played a season on crutches. Now that’s dedication, folks. Brian has also been a leader on the lodge council. He got to play on one of the original teams with the legendary DiPasquale brothers.

— TONY CICERO: From Racine, Wisconsin has played bocce his whole life. Tony has won bocce classic twice. He says playing helps, as he grew up with a bocce court in back yard. It is a game of strategy. A feel comes naturally, he says.. Tony’s wife plays in the women’s league and was the MVP of her team.

— NICK D’AMICO: Nick has been helping out with the Special Olympics Bocce Ball for 20 years. Last year they had 78 athletes

Championship Roll – John Doepker 2015 Bocce Classic Champ

with special needs play bocce ball in the Olympics. Nick has been playing bocce ball all of his life. He remembers playing in alleys as a kid on Stone Mill Road.

— THURSDAY is WOMENS LEAGUE at the John Pirelli Lodge – and we will have a full report on them, soon !

So now you know a little more about Dayton area bocce and its tradition. Come out and watch the Bocce Classic , or enter the tournament. They would love to have you.

Can you bake the best pie? Do you have what it takes? Can you be the champ? Prizes will include 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies. Register and prove you have the skills to make the most delicious pie of them all!

The judges for this contest are the only locals with mouths big enough to fit the bill, Chef House, Hungry Jax and Big Ragu from Food Adventures !

You have to register by June 11th, then bring your pie to Ron’s Pizza house at 5:30pm on June 14th. The contest begins at 6pm. Ron’s will keep your pie warm or cold for you at your direction. The Food Adventures Crew are serious eaters, and are sure to have their taste buds tuned up and ready for the test … Are you kitchen savvy enough to win? Then get your oven mitts, pie crusts, and baking pans ready for this Green Tomato Pie Baking Contest. But most of all, you have to sign up !

Green Tomato Pizza? It was Delicious !

This event promises to be a festive Food Adventure at Miamisburg’s Riverfront Park!

This cozy festival is a blast and a MUST EAT on your summer list of festivities. It is a friendly, fun atmosphere with plenty of food and drink. Speaking of which..

We also have a side contest*** WANT TO WINDINNER with THE FOOD ADVENTURE CREW at the Rock n Green Tomato Festival for you and a friend? Then comment on the story below and tell us why you deserve it! One winner will be chosen at random, and they may bring a guest and meet us at the festival at 4pm. It looks like Hamburger Wagon Burgers and Ron’s Pizzas are on the menu ! You cant beat a free dinner for you and a pal with 2 original Dayton Food Adventurers!